Electric resistance lighter



March 10, 1942. G. J. HORTHER ELECTRIC RESISTANCE LIGH TER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1940 .12 6,977 Z Zkrzzey.

March 10, 1942. G. J. HORTHER 2,276,039

ELECTRIC RESISTANCE LIGHTER Filed Oct. 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

h i,sA ZZorzzey Patented Mar. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT 0 FFICE 5 Claims.

This invention relates generally to electric resistance lighters employing dry cell batteries for energizing a resistance element to produce a suificient amount of heat to ignite a wick at the end of a torch when the current from such batteries is caused to flow through the element. In particular this invention deals with a structural arrangement of an electric resistance lighter, wherein the parts supporting or housing the resistance element and contact means for closing an electric circuit form a simple, compact, exchangeable unit, and wherein the torch member is removably associated with such unit and partially projects thereinto, whereby a highly advantageous structural combination of parts is produced.

The prime objects of the present invention, therefore, are to provide in combination with the body of an electric resistance lighter, an exchangeable resistance carrier, which may be readily associated with or removed from the lighter body, and which carrier is arranged to removably accommodate a torch member, a portion of which latter is designed to normally project into the carrier body, said carrier having suitable guard means for shielding the resistance element disposed within the carrier against damage by the torch portion passing into the carrier. said guard means also serving as a guide for that torch portion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exchangeable resistance carrier for electric resistance lighters, which carrier comprises an outer conductive casing or shell, constituting one of the contacts of the device, and a dielectric inner member for carrying and accommodating a resistance element and contact means associated with the latter, and whereby such carrier constitutes a complete unit which may be either readily inserted or easily removed in respect to the lighter body without the employment of tools.

Another object of this invention is to provide the combination of an exchangeable resistance carrier with a removable torch member, which latter is adapted to normally engage an exterior portion of the carrier, while the wick carrier of the torch member extends into the interior of the resistance carrier, and wherein the resistance carrier is so constructed and arranged as to facilitate a temporary sidewise insertion thereinto of a portion of the wick carrier for the purpose of closing an electric circuit energizing the resistance element placed within the resistance carrier, to ignite a wick extending from the inserted end of the wick carrier.

. Another object of this invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and effective resistance carrier in cartridge form, which is so constructed and arranged as to efiectively protect the element placed therein against damage while in use or while being handled or transported;

The foregoing and still further objects and important advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the ensuing description of the accompanying drawings, wherein h Fig. 1 illustrates an electric resistance lighter in the form of an ash tray from which extends.

a hand employed as the lighterbody;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the ash tray;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section through the upper portion of the hand in which the lighter mechanism is housed;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line 44 of ig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the conductive outer housing or shell of the resistance carrier;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an insulation inlay intended for insertion into the outer carrier housing;

Fig. '7 is the dielectric support for the resistance element and contact means connected therewith; I

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the complete resistance carrier at the moment the resistance is being energized for lighting the torch; c

Fig. 9 isa cross section detail view of the carrier support;

Fig. 10 is a cross section through a contact ring;

Fig. 11 is a perspective View of a resilient support for the ring;

Fig. 12 is a dielectric inlay for the ring and resilient support; h

Fig. 13 is a cross section through a cup-supporting collar;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a wick receiving cup, intended to be supported in the collar;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of amodified form of a lighter;

Fig. 16 is a bottom view thereof;

Fig. 17 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line l'l-I'! of Fig. 16; and

Fig. 18 is a cross section through still another embodiment of a lighter..

Referring now specifically to the figures, numeral l0 denotes the conductive body of the lighter, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, wherein one of the fingers l l constitutes a hollow torch member,

- 'filled with absorbent material l2, containing a lighter fluid. Within the lower portion of the finger there is provided a closure [3, from which projects a wick carrier l4 terminating in a reduced end l5, which is ofiset at l6 for reasons to be explained later. The part of the finger l2 forming the root of the finger, is shown to represent a ring I! (see Figs. 1 and 3), at which point the finger body is separated. Within the ring is provided a recess l8, in which is immovably suspended a carrier support [9, shown in detail in Fig. -9. This carrier support has a ledge and a side opening 2|, as well as a pin. 22.

Ledge 20 of the carrier support 19 serves for accommodating flange 23 of supporting collar 24, shown in detail in Fig. 13, and which supporting collar is also provided with an inner ledge 25, upon which rest arms 26 extending from a wickaccommodating cup 21, having an outwardly flaring upper end.

Resting upon flange 23 of supporting collar 24 is a recessed insulating washer 28, shown in Fig. 12, provided with a side opening 29. Resting within the recessed portion of washer'28 is a spring ring or washer 30, which resiliently supports contact ring 3!, shown in detail in Fig. 10.

From this contact ring extends an insulated wire 32, which passes through side opening 29 of washer 28 and through opening 2| of carrier support l9. Wire 32 connects with one potential of an electric source of energy, diagram-' matically indicated at B in Fig. 3, while the other end of the source is connected with the conductive body IU of the lighter.

The source of electric energy is intended to be in the form of dry cell batteries, preferably arranged within the base of the lighter, as shown in Fig. 2. In this figure dry cell batteries 33 and 34 are employed in series. One pole of this battery arrangement is grounded at 35 to the body of the lighter, while the other pole 39 is connected by wire 32 to contact ring 3|.

The resistance carrier, indicated at 31 in Figs. 4 and 8, consists of an outer conductive shell or cylindrical casing 38, shown in'detail in Fig. 5, provided with a half cover 39 at the top, which half cover serves as guard or shield for the resistance element therebeneath, and as a guide for wick carrier 14 when the latter is being inserted into the resistance carrier from the top. Forming a continuation of the inner edge of half cover 39, and extending along the cylindrical portion of member 38, is a slot 40, designed to accommodate the tip or reduced portion [5 of the wick carrier. At the lower end of member 38 is provided a bayonet slot 4|, adapted to be engaged by pin 22, which preferably passes through body It) and carrier support l3, and which projects into the interior of the latter.

Within outer shell 38 of the carrier there is preferably arranged a cylindrical insulating inlay 42, shown in Fig. 6, provided with a cut-out 43 corresponding to cut-out 40 of the outer shell. Within inlay 42 is a dielectric element support 44, shown in detail in Fig. 7. This element support is preferably cylindrical in shape and is provided with suitable slots or perforations for accommodating contact members 45 and 46. These contact members are provided with projections 45 and 46', respectively, between which projections is mounted a resistance element 41, which latter clears the central area of the interior carrier structure. Contact member 45 is arranged longitudinally in respect to support 44, and its lower end 48 is bent upwards, as clearly seen in Figs. 3 and '7. The bent end is designed to provide contact with ring 3| (see Fig. 3).

Contact element 46 is arranged at a slant across cut-out 49, which latter corresponds to cut-outs 43 and 48 of the insulating inlay 42 and outer member 38, respectively. One end of contact member 46 is bent upon itself at 58 (see Fig. 4), thus holding member 46 in its correct position. When the element carrier is assembled, slots or cut-outs 48, 43 and 43 of the respective parts of the carrier, substantially register with one another.

It will be noted that cut-outs 43 and 49 are somewhat larger than cut-out 40, and that cutout 40 is sufficiently narrow to prevent the body l4 from passing into the interior of the resistance carrier, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. However, the tip or reduced point I 5 of the wick carrier extends full length into the resistance carrier. The wick carrier is made of conductive material so that when its tip is inserted into slot 40 and pressed against outer member 39 and contact 46 of the element support, it will bridge contact 46 and outer casing 38 and close the circuit which energizes element 41.

The exchangeable resistance carrier virtually constitutes a cartridge containing all the essential parts of the lighter mechanism, by means of which the ignition of the wick extending from tip [5 is effected, when the tip is manipulated in the aforesaid manner. This cartridge is bodily removable from the lighter base, and its portion extending above the base is designed to be engaged exteriorly at 5! (see Fig. 3) by the lower end of the torch member, in the shape of finger ll, while wick carrier I4 is arranged to extend through the hollow body of the resistance carrier, so that tip l5 of the wick carrier drops into cup 21, suspended from supporting collar 24. In this normal position of the torch member, the end of the wick 52, projecting from tip I5, is confined within the limited space of the lower cup end to prevent undue evaporation of the lighterfiuid held by absorbent matter l2 within the finger and the wick housed in carrier I4. Cup 21 is preferably flared at its upper edge in order to facilitate easy insertion of tip 15 into the cup.

Referring to Fig. 2, there is provided in the base an air opening through which conductor 32 extends to contact ring 3|. This opening facilitates supplying sufiicient air to the cartridge interior.

Modifications In Figs. 15, 16 and 17 is illustrated another embodiment of an electric resistance lighter, wherein an outer casing of a substantially triangular cross section is indicated at 53. This casing is preferably made of dielectric material, and is provided with a marginal bottom rim 54, with which are associated snap segments of the turned-over edge 550i bottom closure 56. The latter is preferably made from metal and carries a spring contact 57, which is intended to connect batteries 58 and 59. Another spring contact is arranged beneath the upper end of body 53 and connects at 6| with a tubular standard 62 arranged within the casing. This standard constitutes a cylindrical structure, the upper portion 63 of which is somewhat larger in diameter than its lower portion 64; between these two portions is formed a supporting ledge 65. The lower reduced portion engages an elevation 66, pressed out from the body of bottom cover56. At the center of this elevation is supported a wick receiving cup 61, and a plurality of air passages are arranged about the cup support.

Resting upon ledge 65 is an insulating washer 68, provided with a side opening 68. Within the washer is seated a contact ring 69, supported by a resilient member 10. From ring 69 extends through opening 69 a spring contact H, which connects with battery terminal 12 of battery 59. Into the upper portion 63 of standard 62 is inserted a resistance carrier-cartridge, similar to that described previously. This cartridge again consists of an outer conductive member 13, an insulating inlay I4, and a dielectric support 15 for a resistance element and its contact means. The conductive outer member 13 is again provided with a top shield 16, which protects element TI therebeneath.

The torch member in this construction consists of a shell 18, the lower end 19 of which is adapted to engage the upper end of the cartridge. Into the shell 18 is forced a flanged member 80, from which centrally extends wick carrier 8|. The latter is reduced at 82 to form a tip 83. Access to the interior of the torch member is provided by a screw closure 84. Since the exchangeable resistance carrier or cartridge in this embodiment is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8', a detail description thereof is not required.

Another modified form of a lighter is shown in Fig. 18. Therein is employed a base 85, to which is removably secured at 86 a cylindrical standard 81, the lower portion of which is adapted to accommodate batteries 88 and 89 placed on top of one another. Beneath battery 88 there is provided a spring contact 90, against which the bottom of the battery rests. Directly above the upper battery is placed a cylindrical insert 9|, resting upon an annular bead 9| impressed into the body of standard 81. Insert 9| is provided at its bottom center with an insulated contact 92. Upon the upper edge of insert 9| rests a spider ring 93, supporting a wick receiving cup 94. Upon spider ring 93 is placed an insulator ring 95 for the support of contact ring 96, which latter again rests upon a spring washer 91. Ring 96 is electrically connected at 96' with contact 92. Standard 87 and insert 9| are provided with air openings, and a pin or other suitable means to prevent the movement of the insert relative to the standard.

Into the upper end of cylinder 81 is inserted an exchangeable resistance carrier 98 of the form described previously. The upper portion of this carrier extends beyond the upper end 99 of casing 81. The projecting end of resistance carrier 98 is adapted to be engaged by the lower end of torch member I09, which is constructed similarly to the one shown in Fig. 1'7.

The operation and arrangement of all three modified forms of lighters illustrated and described is practically the same. All of these constructions employ an exchangeable resistance carrier in the form of a cartridge, containing all essential operating elements of the device, in combination with a removable torch member, which latter normally engages the resistance carrier externally when in inoperative position, while at the same time the wick carrier of the torch member projects into the interior of the cartridge. The end of the wick extending from the wick carrier rests in a suitable cup. In all of the devices the tip of the conductive wick carrier serves to bridge the outer conductive member of the cartridge with one'of the contact means of the resistance element within, as illustrated in Fig. 8. r 1

-It will be noted in each of the described structures, that provisions are made for the passage of air to the interior portion of the cartridge, and that at least one half of the cartridge top is open. (See Fig. 5.) The air supply to the cartridge interior and the opening at the top of the cartridge facilitate quick ignition of the wick end extending from the tip of the wick carrier and assure ample air space for an unrestricted spread and sustenance of the-developed flame.

In the aforedescribed illustrations emphasis is laid upon the combination with a removable cartridge containing the resistance element and contact means, of a torch member normally engaging, in vpart, an exterior portion of the cartridge, while another part thereof projects into the interior of the cartridge. Furthermore, in Fig. 3 is shown an adaptation of my lighter structure to an existing fanciful lighter body, which necessitates the employment of numerous parts to provide a workable support for the cartridge. On the other hand, the modifications shown in Figs. 17 and 18 clearly indicate that the entire mechanism of the lighter may be readily housed in a suitable simple structure, which maybe joined as one unit with a battery container of any desired lighter base.

The foreging clearly indicates that changes and improvements as to form and construction of my lighter mechanism may be readily made to facilitate its association with various forms of lighter bases, and I therefore reserve for myself the right to make changes and improvements therein, without departing from the broad scope of my invention, as defined in the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. In an electric resistance lighter, an exchangeable resistance carrier having conductive outer and dielectric inner members, a resistance element and contact means leading therefrom secured to said inner member, element protective means provided with said outer member, a torch detachably engaging said carrier and having a wick-accommodating, conductive extension projecting into the carrier, said extension serving for bridging one of the element contact means with said conductive outer member for closing an electric circuit adapted to energize said element.

2. The combination with a casing of an electric resistance lighter provided with a source of energy' therewithin, of an exchangeable, removably mounted cartridge constituting a carrier for an electric resistance element, said carrier comprising a conductive outer and a dielectric inner member, a resistance element secured with said inner member, a pair of contact means joined with said element, an element protector forming a part of said outer member, a torch having a wick-accommodating, conductive extension removably associated with said cartridge, said extension normally projecting into said cartridge and serving, when'the torch is removed from the cartridge, for bridging said outer conductive member with one of the element contact means to close a circuit for energizing said element.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, an

electrically insulated, resiliently supported con-.

tact member secured beneath said cartridge and connected with one terminal of an electric source of energy, said contact member adapted to be engaged by and to bear against the other contact means of the element, said outer member of the cartridge being connected with the other terminal of the electric source of energy.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 2, an electrically insulated, resiliently supported contact member secured beneath said cartridge and connected with one terminal of an electric source of energy, said contact member adapted to be engaged by and to bear against the other contact means of the element, said outer member of the cartridge being connected with the other terminal of the electric source of energy, and means arranged beneath said torch extension for the reception of the wick end of the latter.

5. In an electric resistance lighter, a hollow casing, an exchangeable element carrying cartridge removably associated with the casing,

means provided with said casing and said oartridge for locking the latter in position, said cartridge comprising a tubular structure having outer conductive and inner dielectric members, a resistance element, clearing the center area of the cartridge, and contact means secured to said inner member, said outer member serving as a second contact means and as protective means for said element, a torch having a conductive wick carrier removably associated with the cartridge, said wick carrier adapted to normally extend through the said outer member into the cartridge and to serve as bridging means between the contact of the inner member and the conductive outer cartridge member for closing an electric circuit adapted to energize said element.

GEORGE J HORTHER. 

